Citrus trees lie uprooted after a hurricane struck Florida. The state is projected to lose nearly $294 million in agricultural production to natural disasters annually, with hurricanes and inland flooding among the biggest threats.
Natural disasters destroy billions of dollars in U.S. agricultural production each year. From drought and wildfires in the West to hail in the Midwest and hurricanes in the Southeast, farms lose an average of $5.1 billion in crops and livestock annually, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
In Florida, hurricanes and inland flooding typically cause the greatest agricultural losses, according to an analysis by Trace One. However, a historic freeze last winter caused more than $3 billion in damages to the state’s sugar cane, citrus and strawberry crops. Overall, Florida is projected to lose an average of $293,720,476 in agricultural production each year — about 3% of its total value, the highest percentage of any state. California, the nation’s leading agricultural producer, loses even more in dollar terms, averaging more than $1.1 billion in annual losses, largely because of drought.
Southwest Florida bears a significant share of the state’s losses. Hurricanes may not strike every year, but when they do, the damage can be catastrophic. Hurricane Ian caused an estimated $81 million in agricultural losses across Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties and more than $1 billion statewide, according to a University of Florida report.
Collier County ranks 13th nationally for average annual agricultural losses, with about $38 million in damage each year. Those losses represent roughly 16% of the county’s agricultural production. Lee and Charlotte counties lose less — about $3.4 million and $1.5 million annually, respectively — reflecting their smaller agricultural industries.
Location | Expected annual loss | Loss per farm | Annual loss rate | Total farms | Agricultural value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Collier County | $38,425,968 | $116,442 | 16.8% | 330 | $257,104,045 |
Lee County | $3,418,324 | $4,205 | 2.7% | 813 | $141,473,549 |
Charlotte County | $1,479,695 | $5,626 | 2.8% | 263 | $59,476,778 |
Florida | $293,720,476 | $6,675 | 3.3% | 44,000 | $9,974,216,343 |
Source: Trace One
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